Is Cade Cunningham or Jalen Brunson the best point guard in the Eastern Conference?

Jalen Brunson arrived in New York and restored order to a franchise long defined by self-inflicted chaos. Cade Cunningham took over in Detroit and carried a team that had been buried at the bottom of the league back into relevance. 

Both altered the direction of their organizations. That is why the debate of the best point guard in the East exists. First, the evidence.

2025-26 regular-season averages

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Age 29)
• 29.1 PPG
• 6.6 APG
• 3.4 RPG
• 35.2 MPG
• 48.2 percent FG shooting
• 37.4 percent three-point FG
• 84.7 percent free-throw line FG
• 2.2 TPG

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (Age 24)
• 27.0 PPG
• 9.2 APG
• 6.4 RPG
• 36.2 MPG
• 45.3 percent FG shooting
• 31.7 percent three-point FG
• 82.9 percent free-throw line FG
• 3.7 TPG

The split is clear: Brunson scores more efficiently, and Cunningham impacts more of the game. Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty. 

Jalen Brunson brings structure

Brunson plays at a pace that steadies teammates and calms half-court possessions. His footwork in the paint and comfort in the midrange allow him to score without forcing action. New York knows what he's giving every night. That reliability is how the Knicks turned everything around. 

Brunson’s shooting efficiency separates him from most high-usage guards. He converts difficult shots late in the clock while somehow limiting his mistakes. It's a wonder his turnovers remain low despite constant, unrelenting defensive attention. That combination has translated to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance last season and trust from a franchise that once burned through lead guards without direction.

His weakness is defensive. At 6-foot-2, Brunson can be targeted by bigger guards and wings. And he often is on ball switches. He competes, but his size limits his ceiling on that end. New York often has to protect him in matchups, especially in the postseason.

Cade Cunningham does it all

Cunningham’s role in Detroit is heavier. He is asked to initiate, score, rebound and defend across positions. The Pistons can't function without him. He somehow creates shots for others while absorbing defensive pressure designed to wear him down.

At 24, Cunningham already ranks among the league’s top playmakers. His size allows him to see over defenses and switch on the other end. He impacts more possessions than most guards in the conference.

His weakness is efficiency. Cunningham’s shooting, particularly from three-point range, remains inconsistent. At 31.7 percent from deep, defenses are willing to challenge his jumper. The Knicks did just that in last year's first-round playoff matchup, where Cunningham-centric possessions shrank.

Postseason separates Jalen Brunson and Cade Cunningham

The gap between the two shows most clearly in the playoffs. In last postseason's matchup against Cunningham, Brunson averaged 31.5 points and 8.2 assists. He dictated tempo and closed games. Cunningham was productive in the same series, averaging 25 points, 8.7 assists and 8.3 rebounds, but his efficiency dipped, and the Pistons often struggled in sets where he wasn't on-ball. The Knicks won the series with a Brunson elimination dagger in Game 6.

The verdict

If the measure is resume and postseason proof, Brunson stands ahead. His efficiency and body of work have turned the Knicks into contenders.  If the measure is overall impact, versatility and long-term ceiling, Cunningham has the broader game.

One brought stability to New York. The other lifted Detroit out of irrelevance. The Eastern Conference has not decided which matters more, but the answer arrives in May.